BMW Sauber F1.09

BMW Sauber F1.09

Category	Formula One
Constructor	BMW Sauber
Technical specifications
Chassis	Carbon fibre monocoque
Suspension (front)	Upper and lower wishbones, inboard springs and dampers, actuated by pushrods
Suspension (rear)	As front
Engine	BMW P86/9 2.4 litres V8 Naturally aspirated, 18,000 RPM Limited with KERS
Transmission	7 forward speeds + 1 reverse
Fuel	Petronas
Tyres	Bridgestone Potenza OZ Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrants	BMW Sauber
Notable drivers	5. Robert Kubica 6. Nick Heidfeld
Debut	2009 Australian Grand Prix
Races Wins Poles Fastest laps 17 0 0 0

The BMW Sauber F1.09 was BMW Sauber's Formula One motor racing car for the 2009 Formula One season. The car was launched on January 20, 2009 at Circuit de Valencia located in Valencia, Spain. It was driven by Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfeld, both retained from 2008.

After the team's impressive performance in 2008, winning their first race and coming second in the championship, much was expected of them. BMW made a promising start to the season, with Kubica running second at Melbourne and lapping faster than the leader before retiring in a collision, and Heidfeld finishing second at the chaotic Malaysian GP. However, the F1.09 ultimately proved to be disappointing. At times, the drivers could barely scrape through to Q2, let alone challenge for pole. Both drivers expressed discontent with the slow developments to the car. Towards the end of the season things began to look up, with the cars managing fourth and fifth at Spa-Francorchamps and Kubica finishing second at Brazil. However, the damage had been done, and BMW announced that 2009 would be their last season in Formula One. The team eventually finished sixth in the Constructors' Championship.

Gallery

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  Test driver Christian Klien testing the F1.09 at the Bahrain International Circuit, Sakhir, Bahrain.

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  Nick Heidfeld at the pre-season test at the Circuit de Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.

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  Heidfeld being followed by Fernando Alonso's Renault later in the session. He would finish 0.322s ahead of the Spaniard as they were 6th and 8th.

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  Robert Kubica started from 6th in the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix, behind Jenson Button (Brawn), Jarno Trulli and Timo Glock (Toyota), Nico Rosberg (Williams) and Mark Webber (Red Bull, out of shot).

• 

  Heidfeld took the F1.09's first podium finish at the 2009 Malaysian Grand Prix.

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  Glock in the Toyota was the beneficiary as Heidfeld spun at a very wet 2009 Chinese Grand Prix.

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  Heidfeld follows Lewis Hamilton of McLaren and Sebastien Buemi of Toro Rosso round the hairpin after recovering from his spin with Heikki Kovalainen in close attendance in the other McLaren.

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  Heidfeld is still holding onto Hamilton at the same spot several laps later, with Kimi Räikkönen's Ferrari now in the mix.

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  Now fighting with Kovalainen at the Shanghai.

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  Heidfeld leaving 13th on the grid at the start of the 2009 Spanish Grand Prix.

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  Kubica on his way to 11th in the 2009 Spanish Grand Prix.

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  Kubica being followed by Mark Webber's Red Bull later on in the same race.

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  Heidfeld would finish higher, 7th and in the points at the Circuit de Catalunya.

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  Heidfeld driving the revised "F1.09B" chassis at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix.

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  Heidfeld leading Hamilton at the 2009 Turkish Grand Prix.

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  Heidfeld approaching turn seven on his way to 11th at the same race.

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  Heidfeld leading a train at the 2009 British Grand Prix, with Alonso's Renault, team mate Robert Kubica and the Force India of Giancarlo Fisichella behind.

• 

  Kubica leads Hamilton at the 2009 British Grand Prix.

• 

  Heidfeld en route to 10th at the 2009 German Grand Prix.

Complete Formula One results

(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; results in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year	Entrant	Engine	Tyres	Drivers	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	Points	WCC
2009	BMW Sauber F1 Team	BMW P86/9 V8	B		AUS	MAL‡	CHN	BHR	ESP	MON	TUR	GBR	GER	HUN	EUR	BEL	ITA	SIN	JPN	BRA	ABU	36	6th
				Kubica	14†	Ret	13	18	11	Ret	7	13	14	13	8	4	Ret	8	9	2	10
				Heidfeld	10	2	12	19	7	11	11	15	10	11	11	5	7	Ret	6	Ret	5

^† Driver failed to finish, but was classified as they had completed >90% of the race distance.
^‡ Half points awarded as less than 75% of race distance completed.